Tom Patchett (born April 16, 1940) is an American film director, screenwriter, actor and producer who is best known as the co-creator of ALF. He co-wrote the films Up the Academy, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets Take Manhattan, and Project ALF. He also wrote episodes of The Bob Newhart Show, We've Got Each Other, The Tony Randall Show, The Carol Burnett Show, and Buffalo Bill. Patchett founded the contemporary art gallery, Track 16, in 1994.